Maymoona's Moon
A Special Eid Story
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Maymoona's Moon is a heartwarming picture book about the end of Ramadan, and waiting for Eid to begin. Written by Razeena Omar Guta and illustrated by beloved Muslim illustrator Zayneb Haleem (@idotdoodle), readers aged 3 to 8 years will feel the anticipation around the end of Ramadan – the hullabaloo is contagious!
In this gorgeous story about anticipation, celebration and tradition, a young girl called Maymoona – self-proclaimed future astronaut – cleverly finds a way to be the first to see the crescent moon in the sky, and to announce that Eid has begun!
Eid-al-Fitr is a joyous time of year for Muslims, and marks the end to Ramadan, a holy month of fasting, praying and deep spirituality – so the build-up to Eid is exciting and exuberant. Families come together to celebrate with delicious feasts and gifts, but sighting the crescent moon is the first sign that Eid can begin.
This beautiful picture book is perfect for readers aged 2 years and up, as well as anyone who's ever looked up into the evening sky and delighted in the moon.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In the lead-up to Eid, aspiring young astronaut Maymoona takes on the task of spotting the new moon that marks the holiday: "Leave the moon-sighting to me," she shouts. The child "observes, gazes, and calculates," and determines that she needs a high perch for the job. With the help of a "Cosmic Compass," "Galactic Goggles," and "Lunar Ladder"—and the encouragement of family and friends—she situates herself on a sturdy branch of the garden's tallest tree, where, after waiting and watching, and even offering encouragement ("Please come out soon, moon"), she takes a picture of the thin crescent and kicks off the holiday's celebrations. Omar Gutta's ardent text and Haleem's simple, limited-palette art delineate a variety of Eid practices ("Lanterns glow. Eid songs fill the air") while sharing one child's passion-fueled involvement in the holiday. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An endnote offers further context. Ages 3–8.
